Topic: Hate Crimes

Hate crime redefined? Judge sees no hate in Rutgers webcam spy case

Dharun Ravi was sentenced to 30 days jail for using a webcam to spy on a gay college roommate. He could have received 10 years. But the judge said  "I do not believe he hated Tyler Clementi."

30 days for Dharun Ravi in Rutgers suicide case

The former student was convicted for his role in harassing Tyler Clementi, who committed suicide after Ravi used a webcam to spy on him.

Gay rights in America: How states stand on 7 hot-button issues

The tapestry of federal and state laws surrounding gay rights is enormously complex. Here is a look at each state's laws regarding issues ranging from gay marriage to hate crimes to hospital visitation. 

George Zimmerman charged: Will that affect civil rights investigation?

News that George Zimmerman was charged with murder won't sway the ongoing federal civil rights investigation, which is looking for evidence that Zimmerman was motivated by racial hatred.

Iraqi community perplexed, wary after slaying of Iraqi-born mother

Officials are cautioning residents in El Cajon, Calif., against jumping to conclusions while the death of Shaima al-Awadi, an Iraqi immigrant, is investigated. She died after a brutal beating last week in her home. Police have not ruled out a hate crime.

Trayvon Martin case: US could bring hate crime charge against George Zimmerman

The Justice Department could bring a hate crime charge against George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin if there is sufficient evidence the slaying was motivated by racial bias.

Obama on Trayvon Martin death: a time of 'soul-searching' for 'all of us' (+video)

President Obama on Friday addressed for the first time the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, saying, 'If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon.' Some decry an 'official national tragedy.'

Tired of 'Twilight' clones? 5 young adult books to try instead

5 teen books refreshingly free of supernatural creatures and love triangles

Lauren Myracle: how it felt to be dropped from National Book Awards

Author Lauren Myracle says she sees the awards debacle as a lesson of how "messy and wonderful" life can be – but that it took her a while to get there.

5 finalists for the 2011 National Book Award for Young People's Literature (with one title dropped)

It was apparently a mistake when they announced six titles this year instead of the usual five nominated for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. But then, said Harold Augebraum, executive director of the National Book Foundation, "We decided that it was better to add a sixth one as an exception, because they're all good books." Which of these six finalists do you think will win the 2011 National Book Award for Young People's Literature on Nov. 17?

UPDATE: One of the six finalists – "Shine" by Lauren Myracle – was removed from the list of 2011 nominees on Oct. 17.

Wisconsin State Fair mob attack: Police seek hate crime charges

Wisconsin police say a mob attack at the Wisconsin State Fair was racially motivated. One teen arrested Wednesday said he deliberately targeted white fairgoers because they were 'easy targets.'

Flash mob attacks: Rising concern over black teen involvement

From Milwaukee to Philadelphia to Chicago, officials are enforcing curfews and requiring chaperones for teens, after several flash mob attacks allegedly involving black youths.

Norway attacks put spotlight on Europe's right-wing parties. Who are they?

Last week's attacks in Norway put Western Europe's far right in the spotlight, despite condemnation of Anders Behring Breivik's actions. These parties share some of the anti-immigrant and anti-Islam opinions that spurred Mr. Breivik.

'Tales from a dead man': 9/11 revenge killer set to be executed

The man who shot three men he believed were Arabs, as revenge for 9/11, faces execution in Texas Wednesday – despite pleas for clemency from the one survivor and the change of heart the convict blogged to the world from death row.

Killing of skinhead leader David Lynch: What was the motive?

David Lynch, head of the racist skinhead group American Front, was shot and killed in his home near Sacramento, Calif., on Wednesday.

Arizona justice: Shawna Forde death sentence a rebuke to border vigilantes

An Arizona jury on Tuesday handed down a death sentence for Shawna Forde, leader of Minutemen American Defense. She was convicted in the killings of two border residents in 2009 – a case Latinos say should have prompted greater outcry from political leaders.

Tyler Clementi suicide: Reaction is swift and widespread

But will Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi's suicide make any difference regarding cyber bullying? Will it change the way hate crime laws are applied to sexual orientation?

Mosque furor, Quran burning: Anti-Islamic fervor mobilizes US Muslims

Even before the outrage over a planned Quran burning, American Muslim groups have been mounting an offensive against a rise in anti-Islamic sentiment, taking to the airwaves to provide a more peaceful view of Islam.

Is New York cabbie stabbing result of 'anti-Muslim hysteria'?

Islamic leaders are concerned that the increasingly heated debate over the mosque near ground zero is stirring up anti-Muslim rhetoric that could incite violence and hate crimes.

Norman Leboon charges: threats against Congress nothing new

A Philadelphia man, Norman Leboon, was charged Monday with threatening to kill Rep. Eric Cantor, a Jewish Republican. It follows a week when threats became a political issue.

Fewer hate crimes in 2008, Obama's election year, data show

Reported hate crimes dropped 2 percent in 2008 from 2007 levels. Is rising 'atmosphere of rage' a threat to gains?

Woman charged in Fort Hood-related hate crime: Pulling a headscarf

An Illinois woman is charged with a hate crime for berating a Muslim woman about the Fort Hood shooting and then pulling at her headscarf. The charge could lead to three years in prison: justice or prosecutorial overkill?

Obama signs bill expanding hate crimes to sexual orientation

Gay-rights groups welcomed the move, which expands hate-crime law to include crimes based on gender and sexual orientation. But some legal scholars suggest it's an overreach of federal power.

Obama pushes gay rights, but not without criticism from activists

Many gay rights activists think Obama isn’t doing enough. But he’s in no rush on same-sex marriage or the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.

Are we just grumpy, or have politics gotten dangerous?